Couldn't they have found a better way to show Snively's disloyalty?

I realize that the idea of him secretly hating Robotnik may have only been thought of around the creation of the second season, but the way they showed us that he isn't as loyal as we may have previously thought, is pretty forced in my opinion. The way he quietly insults Robotnik, and then claims to have said something that rhymes with what he said, as well as doing a thumbs down and fart noise, thing. It was like they wanted us to know from the beginning of that season, he was going to be a potential traitor.

Couldn't they have just had Snively, look somewhat annoyed while following orders, and then included the odd episode where he either attempts to secretly sabotage Robotnik's plans for his own gain, or simply hope they fail, or both? We would have gotten the message, I think.